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HENRY B.
KNOWLES.
For almost thirty-four years Henry B. Knowles,
now deceased, was a prominent and worthy citizen
of Pottawattamie county. His life was characterized
by all that is manly and honorable and he was
known as a stalwart champion of those principles
which uplift humanity and promote the progress
of the race. His many sterling traits endeared
him to those with whom he came in contact and
his death was therefore the occasion of uniform
regret to all who knew him.
A native of New York, Mr. Knowles was born on
the 7th of August, 1849, his parents being Judge
Henry L. and Jane (Brush) Knowles, who were likewise
natives of the east. The father was a practicing
attorney of Potsdam and other towns of New York
and also filled the office of county judge, being
recognized as one of the strong and able members
of the bar in his part- of the state. .
Liberal educational advantages were afforded
Henry B. Knowles as his parents wished him to
become a member of the legal fraternity. After
mastering the branches of learning taught in the
public school of Potsdam he attended a college
in Massachusetts and later matriculated in Cornell
University, but though he prepared for the bar
he never engaged in the practice of law. He was
just twenty-one years of age when he left the
University, and having a sister living in this
county he made his way westward and here took
up his abode. Feeling that the legal profession
would not prove congenial he determined to devote
his attention to other pursuits and purchased
a tract of land in Keg Creek township, where he
carried on general farming for many years. In
1901 he removed to Council Bluffs, where he turned
his attention to the windmill business, having
an office in the Masonic Temple and acting as
agent for several windmill manufacturers. He continued
in this business throughout his remaining days
and, as in his farming operations, met with a
large measure of success.
In Keg Creek township Mr. Knowles was united
in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Orr, a daughter
of Colonel William and Margaret (Orr) Orr, both
of whom were natives of Belfast, Ireland, whence
they came to America in early life, first settling
in Ohio, whence they removed to Harrison county,
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Iowa. There they lived until 1873, when they
came to Pottawattamie county, purchasing a farm
in Keg Creek township. The father there engaged
in general agricultural pursuits until his life's
labors were ended in death. He was a prominent
farmer of the county and a most respected and
influential citizen. His wife also died on the
homestead farm. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Knowles were
born a son and daughter, William Henry and Margaret,
who are still with their mother.
The husband and father died February 23, 1905,
his demise causing uniform sorrow to all with
whom he had come in contact during his residence
in the county, covering a third of a century.
He was never an office seeker nor did he hold
political position, but he gave a stalwart support
to the republican party at the Rolls in early
life. Later he was a prohibitionist, being an
active temperance man. Both he and his wife were
members of the Presbyterian church and in its
work he was greatly interested, doing all in his
power to promote its growth and extend its influence.
He was also an earnest worker in behalf of temperance
and was, in fact, well known as a champion. of
every cause and movement which tended to aid his
fellowmen and promote the best interests of the
city and county. He was free from ostentation
and display and won friendship through the genuine
worth of his character. He held closely to high
ideals and in his life embodied lofty principles,
never deviating from any course which he believed
to be right between his fellowmen and himself.
Mrs. Knowles and her children occupy a fine residence
at No. 413 South Eighth street, which she owns,
and she also owns the large farm in Keg Creek
township, from which she derives a good rental.
She is well known in the leading social circles
of the city and the hospitality of many of the
best homes of Council Bluffs is cordially extended
to her.
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George Dewey is numbered among the old settlers
of the county and is a successful agriculturist
now living in Neola, where he owns a forty-acre
farm devoted to the production of fruit and berries.
Great have been the changes which have occurred
in the county during the period of his residence
here, dating from 1856. His memory forms a connecting
link between the primitive past and the progressive
present--the past in which the county was largely
a wild and undeveloped prairie and the present
when its rich lands are now divided into productive
farms, the home of prosperous and contented people.
In the work of general improvement Mr. Dewey has
borne his share.
He is far-separated from the place of his birth,
which occurred on the isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire,
England, his natal day being April 2, 1841. His
father, Ratford Dewey, was also a native of this
isle and there followed farming. He married Martha
West and in 1851 sailed with his family for the
new world, leaving Liverpool for New York. The
voyage was made on a sailing vessel and they were
nine weeks on the water, during which time
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several severe storms were encountered. The gale
was so furious on one occasion that every mast
on the vessel was laid low and caused much consternation,
but repairs were effected and they eventually
reached New York harbor in safety. Mr. Dewey and
his family remained in the Empire state for eighteen
months and then journeyed westward to eastern
Indiana, where he followed farming for almost
four years. He next traveled to Iowa by wagon,
his destination being Council Bluffs, and soon
afterward he opened up a farm in this county.
Unto him and his wife were born eight children,
all of whom reached adult age.
George Dewey, the only son in the family, was
reared on the farm and educated in the common
schools. He remained with his parents until his
twenty-fourth year, when he was married in December,
1865, to Miss Cynthia A. Losh, a native of this
state and the daughter of J. Z. Losh, who settled
at Council Bluffs in 1850.
Following his marriage George Dewey located on
Keg creek in Minden township, where he purchased
one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land
and established a home. To this he afterward added
eighty acres. He performed the arduous task necessary
to breaking the sod and tilling the soil of a
new farm, but as time passed by his labors wrought
a marked transformation in the appearance of the
place, which is now a valuable property of two
hundred and forty acres, still in the possession
of Mr. Dewey. He broke the prairie, fenced the
fields, set out an orchard and planted shade and
ornamental trees, which add greatly to the attractive
appearance and value of the farm. There was about
fifteen acres of natural grove, on the edge of
which he erected a residence, together with commodious
and substantial barns, a granary and other outbuildings.
He secured, too, the latest improved machinery
to facilitate the work of the fields, and year
after year successfully cultivated his crops until
he had lived upon that farm twenty-seven years,
when he rented the place and removed to Neola,
partly to educate his children and partly on account
of his impaired health. He found, however, that
the life of retirement was as wearing on him as
had been the care of his extensive farm. He could
not content himself without some occupation and
business interest and so purchased forty acres
of land on the edge of Neola, on which he built
a fine home. It was also prairie land so that
he improved his second farm, which now, however,
is under a high state of cultivation and equipped
with buildings which make it one of the best improved
farms of the county. Here he has started an orchard
of fine peach, plum and apple trees. The care
thereof keeps his time fully occupied without
being too great a burden upon his health and here
in contentment he is living, his labors having
brought to him the capital which now enables him
to enjoy many of the comforts and luxuries as
well as the necessities of life.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dewey were born eight children
but two of the number died in infancy. The others
are Nettie, now the wife of Charles Cheney, of
Holyoke, Colorado, by whom she has one son, George,
while they lost their only daughter, Mary; Edward,
a resident farmer of York township; Ford W., who
married Dolly De Lahr, by whom he has one son,
Benjamin George, their home being on his father's
farm; Joseph, an agriculturist of
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Minden township; Martha, the wife of Joseph Hadfield,
a farmer of Neola township and the son of James
Hadfield, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume;
and Margaret M., a graduate of the Neola high
school.
Politically Mr. Dewey is a republican, whose
allegiance to the party dates from the time when
age brought him the right of franchise. While
always a public-spirited citizen he has never
sought or desired office as a reward for party
fealty. Mr. Dewey was reared as an Episcopalian
but both he and his wife now attend the Methodist
Episcopal church. He started out empty-handed
in business life here over a half century ago
and is today one of the few remaining pioneers
well known throughout the county which he has
aided in developing from a tract of raw prairie
to its present state of improvement. The conditions
of life have greatly changed during this period
and the little cabin homes have been replaced
by commodious and substantial farm residences,
the prairie grass has given way to field of waving
grain, and in place of the deer and other wild
game that formerly roamed over the plains are
now seen fine herds of cattle and other live stock.
Mr. Dewey rejoices in what has been accomplished
and through his own life of activity and enterprise
has kept pace with the uniform improvements, working
his way upward in his business career from a humble
position to a position of affluence.
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Ernst H. Ohlendorf, secretary of the Pottawattamie
County Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company,
displays in this position excellent ability for
management as well as strong executive force,
and has a wide acquaintance among the leading
business men of Council Bluffs. He is a native
of Illinois, born in Du Page county, on the 9th
of May, 1849, and at the age of sixteen years
he left the place of his nativity for Will county,
Illinois. In the same year, however, he removed
to Missouri and completed his education as a student
in Central Wesleyan College, at Warrenton, Missouri.
His collegiate work was finished in 1873, and
he then went to Kansas, where he spent two years,
coming to Council Bluffs in 1875. Soon afterward
he began farming in Pottawattamie county, Iowa,
and was thus engaged in carrying on general agricultural
pursuits until 1889, when he removed to Council
Bluffs. Since 1878 he has been secretary of the
Pottawattamie County Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance
Company, and in fact he occupied the position
for two years before removing to the city. He
is very systematic and methodical in all his work
connected with the office, is constantly formulating
new plans and carrying out new ideas in this connection
through the development of the business, whereby
success has resulted.
In 1876 in this county Mr. Ohlendorf was joined
in wedlock to Miss Julia Walline. They are members
of the German Evangelical church, in the work
of which they take an active interest, while Mr.
Ohlendorf is serving as one of the trustees. In
politics he is a republican but is content to
let others hold office, although he is never remiss
in the duties of citizenship and
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gives active co-operation to various measures
for the public good. His fraternal relations connect
him with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the beneficent
spirit of these organizations finds exemplification
in his life.
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The path of life which W alter Krueger has trod
has not been without its obstacles but with perseverance
and strong determination he has overcome all the
difficulties that he has encountered and has steadily
advanced toward the goal of prosperity, being
now one of the substantial agriculturists of Lincoln
township. He was born on the 17th of January,
1862, in Prussia, Germany, of the marriage of
Henry and Elizabeth (Weise) Krueger, whose family
numbered seven children, although only two are
now living, the elder brother being William Krueger,
a resident of Underwood, this county. Both parents
were natives of Prussia and in that country the
father learned the weaver's trade, which he followed
in Germany until 1882, when he brought his family
to the new world, settling in Minden, Pottawattamie
county, where he made his home with his children
until his death, which occurred in 1895.
Walter Krueger was a young man of twenty years
when the family emigrated to the new world. For
two years after his arrival he was employed at
farm labor in this county and then associated
himself with his brother, Frank Krueger, now deceased,
in the cultivation of a rented farm. They remained
partners in this enterprise for three years, after
which Walter Krueger farmed for one year as a
renter by himself. In the meantime he carefully
saved his earnings and at length his labor brought
him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase
one hundred and sixty acres of land in 1889. This
tract was situated in York township near Minden,
where he started out upon an independent business
venture as a landowner. He later added to this
farm a tract of forty acres and afterward twenty
acres, making his place altogether two hundred
and twenty acres. To its development and improvement
he gave his time and energies until 1906, when
he sold out and purchased his present property
of three hundred and twenty acres lying on sections
19 and 20, Lincoln township. This is today a well
improved farm, equipped with all modern. conveniences
and accessories and its well kept appearance indicates
his careful supervision and progressive methods.
In 1888 Mr. Krueger was married to Miss Alvina
Grobe, a daughter of Christof Grobe, who came
to the United States from Braunschwich, Germany,
in 1870, settling in. La Salle county, minors,
where his daughter Alvina was born. On the 17th
of January, 1871, he removed with his family to
Minden; Iowa, where his death occurred a year
later. Unto Mr., and Mrs. Krueger have been born
six children; Walter, Arthur, Ida, Henry, Alvina
and Albert. The family circle still remains unbroken
by the hand of death and all are still under the
parental roof. The parents and children hold membership
in the
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Lutheran church arid are interested in its work
and the extension of its influence.
In politics Mr. Krueger is a republican and is
most loyal in his attachment to the stars and
stripes. He started out in life in Pottawattamie
county as a young man of very limited financial
circumstances but full of energy and resolute
purpose. His strong perseverance has enabled him
to make steady progress in the business world
and his life record shows what may be accomplished
in a land where labor is unhampered by caste or
class.
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Peter Johnson is one of the few remaining old
soldiers of Pottawattamie county and also a pioneer
settler. He came to Iowa in 1862 and thus for
forty-five years has lived within its borders,
his home being on his present farm on section
8, Norwalk township, since 1881. Here he owns
and cultivates a good property of one hundred
and twenty acres. He was born in Denmark, May
7, 1842, his parents being John and Elizabeth
Johnson, who were also natives of Denmark. His
boyhood days were spent on a farm in that country
but, possessing laudable ambition, he desired
to benefit his condition and did so by coming
to America when twenty years of age. That he made
no mistake in this course is indicated by the
fact that his has been a successful career here.
Crossing the Atlantic to New York he went at once
to Wisconsin, where he spent one year, and in
1863 he came to Council Bluffs. The Civil war
being in progress, he responded to the country's
call for aid, enlisting at once as a member of
Company G, Ninth Iowa Infantry, joining the army
at Nashville. He assisted in driving Hood from
Tennessee and was then with the part of Sherman's
army which was sent to reinforce General Thomas.
He afterward participated in the celebrated march
to the sea under General Sherman and was mustered
out at Clinton, Iowa, after three years of active
connection with the war, being honorably discharged
with a creditable military record.
Returning to Council Bluffs, Mr. Johnson worked
by the month for two years at farm labor and then
rented land, following farming in that way for
ten years. In 1881 he purchased land upon which
he now lives, securing one hundred and twenty
acres, formerly owned by the railroad. Upon this
farm he has since resided but the place bears
little resemblance to that which came into his
possession twenty-six years ago. He has carried
forward the work of improvement along practical
lines and has good buildings, including a comfortable
residence, substantial outbuildings and cribs
for the shelter of grain and stock. The orchard
upon his place was set out by him and in fact
every tree upon the farm was planted by Mr. Johnson.
He also broke the prairie, turning the sod upon
many an acre, and as the years passed he converted
this into rich and productive fields, from which
he annually gathers good harvests. He has also
made stock-raising a feature of his place and'
for twelve years has devoted much attention to
the raising of polled
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Angus cattle, owning a fine registered bull.
He also raises and feeds Poland China hogs and
annually ships from one to two carloads of stock.
In the fall of 1869, in Crescent City, Iowa,
Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Carrie Benson,
and unto them have been born eight children, of
whom the following are now living: Julia, the
wife of Louis Anderson, a resident farmer of Rockford
township; William M., a carpenter at Missouri
Valley, Iowa; George, who is a machinist of Missouri
Valley, and married. Lillie Steadman; and Clara,
the wife of John McGrew, of Omaha. In the fall
of 1884 Mr. Johnson was called upon to mourn the
loss of his first wife. He was again married an
the 16th of March, 1885, his second union being,
with Maud Miller, a native of Denmark. They had
nine children, of whom seven are now living: Sophrania,
the wife of William Gittens, a farmer of Harrison
county, Iowa; Eva, who is in Omaha with a sister;
Frank H., at home; John H.; Edward; Lulu; and
Mabel. A daughter, Lilly, died in the spring of
1907, at the age of eight years. She was a twin
of Lulu.
Mr. Johnson cast his first presidential ballot
far Abraham Lincoln and has since supported each
candidate at the head of the ticket, but locally
is independent, supporting men and measures rather
than party. His fellow townsmen have called him
to several local offices, including that of township
trustee, road supervisor and president of the
school board. He has served in the latter capacity
far several years and all his official duties
have been discharged with promptness and fidelity,
for he has deep and abiding interest in the welfare
of his community, desiring to aid in every passable
way in promoting its progress and advancing its
interests. He maintains pleasant relations with
his old army comrades through his membership in
the Grand Army past at Council Bluffs. Both he
and his wife are members of the Lutheran church
of Boomer township and are most highly esteemed
people. Time tests the merit of all things and
it has proven that Mr. Johnson's decision concerning
his emigratian to America was a wise one. He has
lived in the county far forty-five years and during
this period has not only witnessed the remarkable
changes that have occurred but has also aided
in its substantial growth and its development,
especially along agricultural lines. What he now
enjoys is due to his own labor and perseverance.
Never depending upon friends to aid him, he has
carefully conducted his business affairs, working
systematically year after year in the conduct
of his farm, so that he is now one of the substantial
agriculturists of his community.
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The prosperity of any community, town or city
depends upon its commercial activity, its industrial
interests and its trade relations, and therefore
among the builders of a town are those who stand
at the head of the business enterprises. For over
a quarter of a century Lucius Wells has been prominently
identified with the business interests of Council
Bluffs and while advancing his own welfare has
done much far the prosperity of the city.
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A native of Illinois, he was born on a farm in
Rock Island county, February 9, 1845, and lived
there until he had attained the age of twenty-seven.
In the meantime he secured a good practical education
which has well fitted him for life's duties, pursuing
his studies in the country schools of his native
county and later attending Lombard University
at Galesburg, Illinois. On leaving college in
1867 he accepted a position with Deere & Company,
plow manufacturers at Moline, Illinois, and he
worked in their factory for some years, starting
at the very bottom of the ladder and making his
way upward until he occupied a very responsible
position. In 1881 he came to Council Bluffs and
started in the agricultural implement business
on his own account as a member of the firm of
Deere, Wells & Company. This connection continued
for eighteen years, during which time the business
steadily prospered, and in 1899 Mr. Wells sold
his interest, since which time he has carried
on operations under his own name as a dealer in
agricultural implements, carriages and gasoline
engines.
In 1868, in Dixon, Illinois, was celebrated the
marriage of Mr. Wells and Miss Martha A. Wadsworth,
a daughter of Christopher Wadsworth, and two children
bless this union: Eunice M., wife of A. W. Casady,
of Council Bluffs; and Cherrie Wells. Mr. Wells
holds membership in the Elks lodge but takes no
very active part in fraternal organizations or
political affairs, his time and attention being
wholly taken up by his business interests. As
a public-spirited citizen, however, he does all
in his power to promote the moral or social welfare
of the city, and efficiently served on the school
board for several years. In business circles he
has made for himself an honored name as a man
thoroughly honorable in all his dealings, and
he is held in high regard wherever known.
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J. H. GREGG.
J. H. Gregg occupies one of the finest country
homes in the county and his landed possessions
aggregate seven hundred acres in Hazel Dell and
Garner townships. His home is on section 33 in
the former township and the land, which is now
in a high state of cultivation, was largely wild
and unimproved when it came into his possession.
The splendid appearance of his farm is the visible
evidence of his fife of well directed activity
and enterprise. He first arrived in the county
in 1855, making the journey by stage after the
primitive manner of travel of the times, and the
following year he took up his abode upon his purchase
and for more than a half century has continued
in the county, not only as a witness of its development
but also as a participant in its improvement and
unbuilding.
Mr. Gregg is one of the worthy citizens that
Ohio has furnished to Pottawattamie county. His
birth occurred in Belmont county of the Buckeye
state, December 19, 1831, his parents being H.
H. and Amy (Hoge) Gregg, who were natives of Loudoun
and Fauquier counties, Virginia, respectively.
They were married in the Old Dominion and on removing
to Ohio settled
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in Belmont county during the pioneer epoch in
its history, there .residing until called to their
final rest. The father, who was born February
4, 1803, passed away June 30, 1861. He was a farmer
and merchant and engaged in buying and packing
tobacco. His wife was born October 7, 1807, and
died January 7, 1874.
In their family were ten children, including
J. H. Gregg, who was reared to farm life and remained
at home until twenty-five years of age, when he
was married and established a home of his own.
On the 22d of October, 1856, in Grundy county,
Illinois, he wedded Miss Amy G. Hoge, who was
born in Fauquier county, Virginia, July 24, 1830,
her parents being William and Rachel (Boles) Hoge,
who were natives of Virginia and were of Scotch
and German descent. They removed to Illinois when
their daughter Amy was a small child.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gregg came
to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, arriving at Council
Bluffs on the 18th of November, 1856. The year
before Mr. Gregg had purchased four hundred and
thirty-two acres in Hazel Dell township, nearly
all of which was in its primitive condition, for
which he paid four dollars and seventy-five cents
per acre. Upon the place was a log cabin containing
one room, and about fifteen or twenty acres of
the land had been broken. He was accompanied on
the journey by his cousin, Robert Gregg. Having
secured the land at a low figure he resolved to
meet the hardships and privations of pioneer life
in order to secure a home of his own. All around
him was a wild and windswept prairie, but few
settlements having been made, although the land
was rich in its natural resources and possibilities.
With characteristic energy Mr. Gregg began to
till the soil and in course of time it brought
forth rich crops. As the years have passed he
has prospered in his undertakings and is now the
owner of seven hundred acres of valuable land
in Hazel Dell and Garner townships, from which
he annually reaps golden harvests. His home is
commodious and is accounted one of the finest
dwellings in the county. There are also large
barns and other substantial outbuildings on the
place and the land is devoted to general farming
and stock-raising. Well kept fences divide the
place into fields of convenient size and everything
about the place indicates the careful supervision
of the owner, whose labors have been the resultant
factor in winning him the gratifying prosperity
he now enjoys. Mr. Gregg also owns nine hundred
and forty-eight acres, all in James township except
one hundred and twenty acres in Belknap township
devoted to stock. Mrs. Gregg owns two hundred
and twenty-eight acres in Belknap and one hundred
and sixty acres in Hazel Dell township, so that
they have an aggregate of over two thousand acres
all in this county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gregg were born ten children
but only three are now living, as follows: Amanda,
at home; Amy E., the wife of Jefferson D. Harris,
of Oakland, Iowa; and Adelaide, the wife of W.
D. St. Clair, of Oakland, Iowa. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Gregg are in excellent health, although he has
now passed the age of seventy-five years. In politics
he has been a stalwart republican since the organization
of the party and for over thirty years has served
as school commissioner in his township but otherwise
has
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held no office, as he has found his time and
attention fully occupied with business cares.
In all of his dealings he has been thoroughly
reliable and his genuine 'personal worth has gained
for him the respect and confidence of his fellowmen,
so that he is now regarded as one of the representative
citizens of his community.
The county today bears little resemblance to
the district in which Mr. and Mrs. Gregg arrived
more than a half century ago. There were many
hardships to be borne and obstacles to be overcome
and owing to the remoteness of markets and the
conveniences of the older east the mode of living
of the pioneers was very different than that of
the inhabitants east of the Mississippi. The winter
of 1856-7 was the most severe that Mr. Gregg has
ever experienced here. The snow fell to a great
depth and the weather was very cold. For his first
crop he received forty cents per bushel but at
different times prices were lower and at one time
he obtained but twelve and a half cents per bushel
for the yield of the fields. Dressed hogs sold
for two and three cents per pound and other prices
were proportionately low, but as the county has
become settled and prosperous prices have been
advanced and the success that has attended Mr.
Gregg is indicated in his large land holdings.
In the early times Indians often visited the county
and much wild game was to be seen, but while there
were many difficulties to be met incident to life
on the frontier, a spirit of hospitality characterized
the entire community and the neighbors did what
they could to assist each other. Anyone who journeyed
along the road always had a pleasant greeting
for those whom he chanced to meet, and although
quarters were often cramped, hospitality was not
the less genuine or sincere. Not only has Mr.
Gregg seen Pottawattamie county grow from a wild
country with only a few white inhabitants to a
rich agricultural district containing thousands
of good homes and growing towns inhabited by an
industrious, prosperous, enlightened and progressive
people, but he has participated in and assisted
the slow, persistent work of development which
was necessary to produce a change that is so complete
as to seem almost phenomenal.
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